Actually, I haven’t played as much as I would have liked in the past few months and as I said earlier, I’ve always kept in touch with Martin Canning.

That was a big factor in my decision to come back. He wanted me back and I wanted to come back and play. I think it was the right time for everybody to get together and try to do something, and we did. I’m delighted.

It actually happened over the weekend really. It only took a couple of days. Both clubs got all the paperwork agreed, so it was all pretty quick.

18:49

Bizarre Downing clause

(Image: Getty Images)

Middlesbrough reportedly want to offload Stewart Downing as soon as possible - because if he plays one more game the club will have to give him a pay rise.

The 34-year-old former Liverpool winger joined the Teessiders in 2015 and has gone on to make 149 appearances.

But, according to the Daily Telegraph, Downing has a clause in his contract that guarantees him a wage hike if he reaches 150 games.

It’s Boro’s second season out of the Premier League and they’re believed to be looking at reducing their wage bill.

Downing is claimed to currently be on £35,000-a-week and has held talks with clubs who may be willing to meet his demands.

18:11

Manchester United dealt Eder Militao blow

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester United have been dealt a transfer blow by the agent of Porto defender Eder Militao.

Militao, the versatile Brazilian who can play at right-back, centre-back or as a holding midfielder, has been mooted as a potential January transfer target for United.

However, the Mail report Militao’s agent Giuliano Bertolucci told Spanish outlet AS the player won’t be leaving Porto this month - and suggested a move to Spain is on the cards in the summer.

He said:

There is no possibility of the player leaving his current club in the winter market.

Morton target Nikolay Todorov

The former Hearts, Queen of the South and Livingston striker is a free agent after leaving Serie C side Rieti last week.

The 22-year-old is believed to have a number of clubs chasing his signature.

14:11

(Image: SNS)

Jamie MacLaren has hinted he could soon leave Hibs and return to the A-League.

The Easter Road striker is with Australia for the Asian Cup, where he netted his first international goal for his country.

But he’s scored just one goal all season for Neil Lennon’s side and is not a first pick striker for the capital club, where he is loan from German side Darmstadt.

And with Melbourne City interested in bringing Maclaren back home, he admits he’s considering his options.

He said:

“Look it’s in the air obviously, but no matter how much I try stay quiet people will start rumours.

“There is something happening in the future, but for now its all about the Asian Cup.

“I’ve always enjoyed my football in the A-League. I’ve scored 51 goals there and I’m so proud of my achievements there. I watch every game and keep tabs on the league which is growing all the time.

“I speak fondly about the league and rate it and if there was an opportunity, well we’d have to wait and see.

“But for now it’s about focusing on Uzbekistan and doing well for Australia because I’m so proud to be here.”

13:52

Kylian Mbappe opens up on Real Madrid move

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Kylian Mbappe has sensationally admitted he would be tempted by a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The French striker has fast become one of Europe’s hottest properties since bursting onto the scene with Monaco.

Mbappe’s stock has risen considerably since his £166m switch to PSG in 2017, before winning the World Cup with France last summer.

Madrid have long been linked with a move for the player, and AS report that Mbappe has now made his feelings clear.

When asked if he would consider a move to the Los Blancos, Mbappe said: “I’m fine here, but in football - and the future, you never know”.

11:34

Rooney on next Man Utd manager

(Image: NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Mauricio Pochettino “ticks every box” to be the next long-term manager of Manchester United, according to club record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

The Tottenham boss has been strongly linked with the Old Trafford vacancy since the sacking of Jose Mourinho last month, and Rooney believes his record at Spurs makes him the ideal candidate for the job.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is in interim charge of United and has overseen seven wins out of seven since taking on the role, with the latest success being a 2-1 Premier League victory over Brighton on Saturday.

Rooney, working as an analyst for ESPN FC, said:

“I think first of all you have to give Ole an opportunity, if he continues the way he is going then I’m sure that will be a discussion for (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward and the Glazers whether he keeps the job. But if I had the opportunity to appoint somebody then I would go all out for Pochettino.

“Manchester United - for the last 20 or 30 years, since Sir Alex Ferguson anyway - have based themselves on young players, bringing players through.

“Pochettino gets the best out of his players, whether they’re young or older players, but he also gives the young players a chance.

“You see some of the young players he has brought through at Tottenham, and Southampton, who have gone on to play for the national team.

11:07

Rangers take New Zealand goalkeeper on trial

Stefan Marinovic

New Zealand international goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic is reportedly on trial with Rangers.

The stopper last played for Vancouver Whitecaps and has 24 caps for his country.

He played 29 times for the MLS outfit during his 18 months at the club.

10:06

Kearney plans more signings

(Image: SNS Group)

St Mirren manager Oran Kearney is confident of adding “two or three” new players to his squad this week and hopes they can make the same impact as Kyle McAllister.

Winger McAllister returned to the Paisley club on Friday on loan from Derby County and appeared as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s 3-2 William Hill Scottish Cup victory over Alloa Athletic.

During that narrow win he set up one goal and then scored the winner with just three minutes remaining.

Kearney has signed six players in this transfer window but wants to add more to strengthen his squad with his targets thought to include a left-back, a central defender, another wide player and a centre forward.

The Northern Irishman, though, warned he would not recruit players for the sake of it.

He said:

“We need two or three more like Kyle because we have struggled for width and pace this season.

“We are looking for that but it is about getting the right ones in.

“We will have another couple coming in this week hopefully, but I don’t sign players for the sake of signings. I want ones that will make a difference - and Kyle is one of those.

“He has had a tough few years since leaving St Mirren but he has character.

“What an end to a lovely week for him because he is a St Mirren fan so to come on and do that (was special).

“It was a cracking finish. It was one of those moments when a second or two before he strikes it, time stands still and you know it is coming.”

09:49

Bocanegra on Polster

Carlos Bocanegra has tipped Matt Polster to be a hit at Rangers - and says the American is ‘excited’ about a move to Ibrox.

Gers boss Steven Gerrard hopes to tie up a deal for the Chicago Fire player this week after he impressed on trial.

Polster is mulling over a contract offer and according to former Ibrox defender Bocanegra, the 25-year-old is keen to join.